The Parker Offshore line includes 10 models, from 18 to nearly 30 feet, in Coastal and Fathom center consoles and an Explorer pilothouse and sport cabin series.
Parker’s roots are along the Outer Banks at Beaufort, North Carolina, an area long known for harsh coastal conditions, and for time-tested boat designs and a tradition of uncompromising boatbuilding craftsmanship.
Parker was family founded in Beaufort in 1972 with a focus on quality, strength and seaworthiness, and in 2019 it was acquired by Florida-based Correct Craft. Parker stresses teamwork, talent development and promotion from within. It boasts a close partnership with a local community college’s boat-building program, preparing, as it says, “our next set of boat builders.”
Parker adheres to ABYC and NMMA boat-building guidelines, and has won NMMA’s CSI award for build, quality, and service the last three years.
Parker 294 Fathom
Parker’s flagship 294 Fathom offers a spacious cockpit, premium helm seating, advanced Garmin electronics, and Seakeeper Ride automatic attitude control system.
Boating anglers will find what they need in the 294 Fathom, from the fiberglass leaning post’s aft-facing seats, rigging table, insulated livewell/cooler and tackle storage, to the transom’s 270-quart fish box and 40-gallon livewell. Three in-floor fish boxes, forward and aft, total 550 quarts. Five stainless steel rod holders line the transom, with nine more within the gunwales. The boat comes pre-wired for a trolling motor.
A fiberglass hardtop supports a nine-rod rocket launcher, electronics box, spreader lights, speaker boxes, and two kingfish rod holders. At the helm are Garmin 8612 XSV chartplotter/sonar and VHF radio. The console interior includes a portable marine toilet. Padded coaming encircles the cockpit.
Forward V-seats and lounge provide ample comfort with storage underneath. Other features of the boat include freshwater shower, raw-water wash-down, and a dive door and telescoping boarding ladder.
Multiple options match the 294 Fathom to its owner’s needs, including hardcore fishing features and convenience and leisure-focused amenities.
The 294 Fathom measures 27 feet, 9 inches on its own; the bracket stretches it 2 feet longer, and a bracket-mounted engines take it to 32 feet, 9 inches in length. It’s rated for up to 12 people. Power comes from twin Yamaha F250, F300, or F350 outboards.
Editor’s Tip
The 294 Fathom offers offshore anglers a well-built fishing machine that’s priced less than most comparably equipped center consoles. While its 19-degree transom deadrise has less “V” than most in its class, this helps it float in skinnier water. -Alan Jones
Performance Data
- Test Power: Twin Yamaha F350s
- Test Props: Saltwater Series II
- Test Load: 8,884 lb. (incl. 95 gal. fuel, 3 batteries, safety and test equipment, 2 people)
- Test Speed: 28.4 mph @ 3,000 rpm
- Max Range: 325 mi. (with 10 percent reserve)
Specifications
| LOA: | 32’9″ |
| Beam: | 9’6″ |
| Fuel Capacity: | 191 gal. |
| Dry Weight With Power: | 6,400 lb. |
| Max HP: | 700 |
| Powered By: | Yamaha |
Parker Boats – Beaufort, North Carolina; parkerboats.com
